Low Recoil Rounds Sutiable for Elk

Iím new to this forum, and I apologize in advance if this topic has been covered. My 65 year old father and I want to go on an Elk hunt, but my Dad has had a shoulder replacement 2 years ago; let me also state that I believe his shoulder is well healed and strong. With that said, we are concerned that some of the larger calibers will deliver too much felt recoil and could cause injury to his shoulder. With this in mind Iíve been researching alternate calibers for him, and Iím wondering if you would find a 6.5 Creedmoor or .260 Remington suitable, when combined with proper shot placement, for taking a elk cow within 300 yards?

To further reduce recoil, I am exploring building either a .260 Remington, or 6.5 Creedmoor on an AR-10 platform. My thoughts here is that the addition of a buffer assembly and spring would further reduce a low recoil round such as the .260 Remington or 6.5 Creedmoor.

Hi Tom. Just in the last week or so we had a discussion about the 6.5/.26 caliber for elk. They will do the job w/ good bullets. You should be able to look it up. If you are open to another caliber I'd suggest looking at the 7mm-08. You can get heavier bullets and a better selection of bullets to choose from. Still a low recoil caliber. Out to 300 yards it will do a fine job on elk.
If you want to use the .26 caliber you might also add the 6.5X47 Lapua to the mix. It may be lightest recoiling of the 6.5's. It has a very efficient case design. Good luck. Bruce

I should have framed my original question better as it is twofold. First, what is the suitability of the .260 Remington & variants such as the Creedmoor and now the Lapua on elk at medium range? Secondly what is the best platform to produce the lowest felt recoil, AR-10 or bolt action?

Earlier I had mentioned that I was exploring the use of an AR-10 platform, but I have concerns with the weight of this rifle, as I know that we will have to carry this at higher elevations. In addition, I believe that the greater weight of the AR-10 platform will impart a larger amount of recoil, but will the buffer assembly mitigate this recoil, and is it worth the extra weight. I have also been looking at the T/C Icon which is about 40% lighter than the AR and may be a better choice for an extended hunt.

TBP,
Thanks for looking out for your old man! I am 70 and failing fast but still use a Tika T3 SS LITE in 338WM. I purchased a Rem 700 youth in .243 for myself if I live longer than good health and to pass on to my 3yr old GDaughter some day. 243s have dropped alot of ELK with proper shot placement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the super soft butt pad it can't kick much more than a 22mag.
Please feel free to contact me if you need some questions answered on ELK hunting. I'm a do it your self kind of guy, do more hunting than killing. LOL
Where are you located?
Good Luck

__________________"I'm better when it's breathing" Chris KyleNRA Life Member 1970

As mentioned already the 338 Federal would not be a bad choice at all; you're just limited in the rifles that are chambered in this caliber from the factory.

A common alternate is to buy whatever caliber you want and then have a muzzle brake installed on the rifle. This will significantly decrease the felt recoil and you won't have to worry if the cartridge is "powerful enough" for an elk. It's the direction I would go rather than cutting back on the cartridge itself.